Chapter 56

"Hey, are you listening, Guy-kun?"

"I'm listening, I'm listening."

In the crowded shop, I nodded and bit into the grilled river fish. It was fried in oil, piping hot, and seasoned with herbs. It was exquisite. No wonder this cheap and delicious diner was so good.

The capital has a far greater number of food establishments, including street vendors, compared to my hometown. The competition is fierce, and prices and quality vary widely, but this diner is definitely a hidden gem.

"Guy-kun, even I, who am usually so mild-tempered, would get angry, you know?"

A lanky acquaintance with red hair, holding a skewer of meat and vegetables marinated in a sweet and salty sauce, sighed. This is also delicious. Should I order another one?

"I'm listening. Didn't you go to that semi-ball?"

No matter how hungry I was or how good the skewers were, I wouldn't let this topic slide.

---That is, exactly three days ago.

The semi-ball where Princess Octavia participated for the first time and finally made a public appearance.

The castle has been in an uproar ever since, even affecting new soldiers like me.

"Exactly! There were so many handsome people, it was a feast for the eyes."

Is that it? Is that what you're talking about?

"...I'm glad."

I said it in a monotone.

"But I didn't meet anyone. In the end, I'm spending my day off hanging out with you, Guy-kun."

"Maybe your standards are too high."

This guy is interested in both men and women, but his criterion is 'beauty.'

Regardless of age or gender.

Even a young girl, if she's a beautiful girl, could be a potential love interest... That's scary! I think he has some common sense, though... ...Right?

Of course, he likes handsome men, so I'm not his type. I should thank my parents for giving me a normal appearance in my hometown.

Well, this guy isn't exactly handsome either.

It's more like... the atmosphere? Sometimes he looks handsome because of his aura.

I stared intently at him—Stain.

I recalled how we met.

When I had become accustomed to the castle and was designated as a training partner by Prince Alexis, it was a day off, one day after my colleagues.

Unable to bear the atmosphere of budding romances among the male soldiers, I wandered into the town with an empty stomach, still in my soldier's uniform because I hadn't washed my civilian clothes yet.

While aimlessly strolling through the capital, a young man called out to me, "You're just the person I was looking for! Soldier, over here!"

He asked me to help a girl who was being harassed by thugs.

Indeed, the scene was as he described. Maintaining public order is part of a soldier's duty.

"I'm really weak! Please help me, soldier!"

The red-haired man, who raised his thumb enthusiastically, was Stain.

The girl was saved—she was quite beautiful—but no love story began. She had a boyfriend...!

Incidentally, the thugs dispersed as soon as I intervened.

The authority of the castle's soldiers is significant. Thugs don't pick fights with soldiers. They choose their targets carefully.

"...Guy-kun, I'm sorry. Even if you look at me with such passion, I have my preferences, so I can't really..."

"Wait, that's not it."

"If your face were more handsome, I might be tempted."

I cut him off without hesitation.

"Please, never be tempted."

"Hey, that's rude, even though you're being polite! You could fit in with the nobility, Guy-kun!"

Stain, who is laughing heartily, actually serves the Duke of Knightfell.

When I learned this shocking fact, I thought to myself, "Are they short on personnel? The Duke of Knightfell!"

---Anyway, because he serves a great noble, he understands the ways of the nobility. Being a commoner himself, he can adapt to both noble and commoner perspectives.

He's easy to get along with, at least for a casual meal.

Today, I ran into Stain, who was planning to meet a work acquaintance for lunch. Since he had time to spare, we decided to share a table.

When his acquaintance arrives, I'll just move to another seat.

"By the way, Prince Alexis didn't attend the semi-ball, right?"

Stain brought up a new topic.

"So what?"

"Well, I thought Prince Alexis would be Princess Octavia's escort. Just like at a ball."

It's a secret, but Prince Alexis isn't in the capital right now. Why would Stain care about that? ...Could it be...

"Stain... Are you in love with Prince Alexis...?"

"No, no."

He waved his hand dismissively.

"Just being able to catch a glimpse of him would be enough. Prince Alexis is so handsome and strict! He's very selective. People with ulterior motives don't even make it into his sight. Watching him, he seems to dislike people in general. But I want a hopeful romance, and if a handsome person dislikes me, my heart would die!"

"Well... Considering his environment, I can understand. And you seem to get it."

If someone isn't interested, being pressured into a romantic relationship would be annoying. Girls would find it bothersome if a guy they don't care about pursued them. It's a similar situation.

Prince Alexis would probably have an easier life if he were a commoner. No, in his case, he'd just be pursued by girls. The struggles of being attractive to both genders...

"I have to go to the castle sometimes as an extra for the lord. I won't miss any opportunity to see a handsome boy, including the semi-ball!"

However, the person he was looking for, Prince Alexis, didn't attend the semi-ball.

"...I heard Prince Alexis is unwell."

This isn't a secret. This morning, some soldiers were lamenting, "We haven't seen Prince Alexis for four days... four whole days..."

They usually don't show such emotions, so I was shaken. It made me realize that maybe it's better to deal with more straightforward people.

"Hmm. He seemed fine a few days before the semi-ball."

"A few days can make a big difference in one's health."

"Is that so?"

"Absolutely."

Besides, Stain shouldn't have just been there to admire handsome people at the semi-ball.

"So, about that semi-ball, the venue was 'Paradise in the Sky,' right? How did the attack go? ...Any casualties?"

I asked casually.

"Huh? Guy-kun, you didn't know? There was an attack, but the semi-ball proceeded without any issues, and there were no casualties."

"...Well, just in case."

When he asked me back, I evaded the question.

...That's right.

Three days ago, during the semi-ball hosted by the Earl of Readington, an armed attack occurred. It was thwarted before it could cause significant damage—Princess Octavia was the target.

And I know that the princess's guard knights are the 'Messengers of Ongarnu.'

Would they show any mercy to the attackers?

I'm still alive by a thread.

If someone took clear hostile action... a bloodbath. They would wipe out the dangerous ones! A one-sided, bloody massacre could have secretly occurred without any issue.

"Just in case... Guy-kun, are you asking because you got some secret information about casualties at the castle?"

Danger. Stain's curiosity was piqued in the wrong direction. Once he gets like this, he can be quite persistent. I was slightly flustered but quickly calmed down.

---Compared to when I was dealing with Princess Octavia and the 'Messengers of Ongarnu,' who made me feel like my lifespan was shortening, Stain's persistence was just annoying.

My life wasn't on the line. My heart was as calm as the sky.

"...Stain, who do you think I am?"

"You're Guy-kun."

"Does a new, unassigned soldier like me have access to secret information?"

I did, though.

"About the attack, well, I just wanted to hear from someone who was there."

"Even if I was there, I didn't see the attackers. It started and ended without me noticing. Besides, if I encountered a dangerous situation, I would run away. I wouldn't confront it myself!"

"...You'd probably survive on the battlefield."

"Understand? I wouldn't even go to a battlefield!"

"---Stain, you don't seem to be afraid of anything, do you?"

For example, you might handle a confrontation with the 'Messengers of Ongarnu' well.

"Huh? I am. I'm afraid of people who don't underestimate me, even if I'm just a nobody."

Stain, who was eating his second skewer, answered seriously.

"Huh?"

"Whether physically or mentally, strong people usually unconsciously look down on others. So, someone who clearly looks weak, like me, isn't a threat. I can act foolishly without being suspected. My failures are accepted as a lack of ability. Because I'm just a nobody!"

"Nobody..."

Why is he declaring himself a nobody so confidently and cheerfully?

"Being a nobody is my strength, Guy-kun. I'm proud of it."

Stain puffed out his chest and pounded it with his fist.

"Proud...? Proud?"

"Exactly! Nobodies are given a wide berth. The problem is when someone who's supposed to be strong doesn't fall for it! They're tough on nobodies too! I suffer!"

"How tough?"

"In a fight, they'll finish off every nobody, one by one. They'll stab the heart of someone pretending to be dead. It doesn't matter if you're strong or weak, a nobody or not, male or female. It's very equal."

"Wow, that's a nasty kind of equality."

Equality depends on the context.

"Exactly. That's why it's hard to do my job. Except for handsome people."

"Ultimately, it always comes back to that..."

I regret listening.

"Speaking of handsome people, I met Berks during the semi-ball for work."

I almost choked on the recommended dish from the neighboring country, Kangina, a stew made with rice, and swallowed it forcefully.

Berks... I won't comment on the 'chan' suffix. Stain is like that. I've also become 'Guy-kun' without realizing it.

But Berks, that's Sil Berks, right?

Prince Serius's lover. They're expected to become engaged and eventually marry.

Berks's name came up frequently in discussions about the semi-ball's incident.

"...Is it okay to talk about such things with outsiders?"

"Of course, I keep the things I shouldn't talk about to myself."

"Alright, then..."

"Guy-kun, you're a good guy, even if you're not handsome. If you're in trouble, call me, and I'll help you."

It's a heartwarming sentiment. I believe Stain is sincere. But in his case...

"...But if my enemy is handsome or a beautiful girl, you'd abandon me, right?"

"Of course, I'd side with them!"

He said it without hesitation, with a bright smile.

No matter what, I must never ask for help from Stain...! It would just increase my enemies! Besides, in a simple melee, I'm confident I could easily beat him, but he seems troublesome as an enemy...

I was exhausted. I exhaled.

"---Anyway, it must have been good to meet Lord Berks for work."

His appearance doesn't pale in comparison to the exceptionally handsome Prince Serius. It must have been a feast for Stain's eyes.

However, the fact that a prince has a male lover is something that can be discussed so casually only in Esphera.

"Very satisfied with his looks. But there were some surprising aspects too."

"Surprising?"

"He seemed genuinely worried about Princess Octavia, and from what I saw, the princess doesn't seem to dislike Berks either?"

"Really?"

I scooped up the stew with a spoon. It was delicious. The rice was good. The meat and fish were well-seasoned.

"Really, Guy-kun, show a bit more reaction."

"Princess Octavia and Lord Berks. They're the princess and the prince's lover. They're both far beyond my reach, and I don't even get to talk to them—"

I stopped. I was appointed as a messenger by Prince Alexis and ended up talking to Princess Octavia...

---And, by extension, the 'Messengers of Ongarnu' who serve her.

I shuddered. Scary.

"...Talk to them?"

"I don't talk to them, so I can't be expected to have a dramatic reaction."

Actually, the opportunity to talk to Princess Octavia might not come again. I'd have to be promoted to a position where I can wear a decorative tassel on my sword for that to happen.

"If they get along well, that's a good thing, isn't it?"

But, considering Princess Octavia, it's not just about getting along.

Lord Berks attended the semi-ball three days ago.

---Along with Princess Octavia.

Furthermore, the princess danced the opening dance with the Duke of Knightfell's son, Derek.

Dancing with Princess Octavia has deep implications...!

It's common knowledge among the nobility. I learned this from the rumors circulating in the castle about the semi-ball.

What came to mind was the dance I saw when I delivered a message to the practice room. The dance of death performed by Princess Octavia and the 'Messengers of Ongarnu.'

I didn't dance with the princess, but I whispered in her ear in the practice room with dance music playing. Even though I didn't dance, was I walking a dangerous line?

The shock came later.

I could only laugh. A colleague once said, "Hey, Guy, you sometimes look like the maids I see around. Like a dead fish's eyes."

Even I, who didn't dance, felt this way. It's only natural to worry about the person who danced with the princess at the semi-ball...! I feel it as if it were my own concern.

"Hey, Stain. Your employer... is he okay?"

"Lord?"

"No, Derek-sama."

"Derek-sama?"

"Because he danced with Princess Octavia?"

Just a dance. But a dance with Princess Octavia has deep meaning...!

It's common knowledge among the nobility. I learned this from the rumors circulating in the castle about the semi-ball.

What came to mind was the dance I saw when I delivered a message to the practice room. The dance of death performed by Princess Octavia and the 'Messengers of Ongarnu.'

I didn't dance with the princess, but I whispered in her ear in the practice room with dance music playing. Even though I didn't dance, was I walking a dangerous line?

The shock came later.

I could only laugh. A colleague once said, "Hey, Guy, you sometimes look like the maids I see around. Like a dead fish's eyes."

Even I, who didn't dance, felt this way. It's only natural to worry about the person who danced with the princess at the semi-ball...! I feel it as if it were my own concern.

"Six, four?"

Stain thought for a moment and then spoke.

"Six, four?"

A code?

"Derek-sama has a 60% chance of ruin and a 40% chance of glory. That's my researched prediction. It might become 50-50 soon."

I was speechless.

"Hey..."

"Isn't it simple to check if Derek-sama is okay?"

"...Simple?"

"Very simple."

I don't understand. Does he mean I'll see him in the castle?

...Before the semi-ball, maybe, but now, I doubt it.

There are rumors that Derek-sama betrayed Prince Serius, from the senior soldiers who support Prince Serius.

There are also rumors that Princess Octavia is trying to undermine Prince Serius's power.

---Yesterday, there was an announcement from His Majesty. That added to the tension.

However, Prince Serius, whom I saw from a distance, seemed no different on the surface.

Princess Octavia is taking a break from official duties for three days by His Majesty's arrangement. Given the attack, it's said she might spend a week in her room.

Prince Alexis is also absent, under the pretense of being unwell.

"Queen? A queen is impossible."

"But Princess Octavia found the real crown, right? It feels like something is happening."

"Prince Serius isn't the crown prince, though."

"Idiot! Even if he's not the crown prince, Prince Serius is the first in line for succession! He's the first prince!"

A customer, a red-faced drunkard, was arguing with his companions.

"That's the effect of His Majesty's announcement, I guess."

Stain, with a skewer in his mouth, spoke fluently. His attitude was joking, but I agreed with the content.

"Right."